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A familiar scene plays before Subaru.

He could only stare in shock, as he looks into Rem's room.

Laying on the bed was Rem, herself. She looked like she was peacefully sleeping. Like an angel.

However, Ram crying by the side of her bed had told him otherwise.

He knew what happened...

The curse Rem got from the Mabeast reached its final stage:

Rem... was dead...

He could see Roswaal, Emilia and Beatrice standing to his right, inside the room. Roswaal's face was grim, Beatrice was indifferent.

Emilia looked guilty, as if she committed a sin.

"It appears as if she had died of weakness," Roswaal speaks. Subaru felt his head get dizzy, an awful wave of nostalgia from the events happening,

"Like she fell into a coma, and won't wake up... Almost like a curse..." Roswaal was mellow. He did a good job, hiding his grief.

Subaru's face gets clammy with sweat, as he feels regret pile over...

No...

This shouldn't have happened...!

He made sure he did everything right, so how —!?

"Subaru, my dear guest," Roswaal's gaze falls onto him, "Do you know what happened to her?"

Subaru's throat tightens. He does, in fact, know the truth!

"A Dog... No, just a pup...!" Subaru's voice was frail, but certain, "It bit her, right on the hand, while me and Rem were talking in the Village! It cursed her, right then and there! —"

"Do you expect me to believe that!?" Ram screams out to him, and Subaru recoils in shock, "What the hell would you know!? How do you know that a stray mutt caused my sister to die!?"

"Ram, you have to believe me! — I tried to save her! I really did all I could!" Subaru's voice chokes up, as tears started to bud in his eyes, "I tried to explain everything to her, but... she wouldn't listen!" –

"Don't you dare say that! You didn't do nothing!" Ram stands right up, and turns to Subaru, death in her eyes, "I don't care what Rem did or didn't do, you should've told one of us!" —

Before Subaru could speak, Ram grabs him by his shirt!

"Instead, you decide to sleep in for the rest of the day!" Ram stabs him with a fact he didn't find relevant!

Wha!? — Was she talking about what happened in the morning!?

Subaru's vision was hazy, and colors started to blur —

"I'm not talking about that!" Ram shakes him a bit, answering his question despite him not saying anything!? —

"I'm talking about after Rem tried to kill you!"

Subaru's face pales, hearing Ram declare this with no compassion, "Wh... You..."

"Even if you survived, you passed out! You left Rem to die!" Ram's gaze gets cold, and Subaru shrinks...

"...I don't... understand...?" He whispers, pathetically.

His head started to hurt a bit...

"Don't lie to me! You do! You need to wake up, and save Rem!" Ram's logic was shot, and Subaru completely lost track of the conversation.

"I... I..." Subaru's gaze gets weak.

"Wake up, Subaru! Wake up!" Ram's frame starts to shake, as she looks at Subaru with murder in her eyes! —

"WAKE UP! ! !" —A scream, just like the one Subaru heard when he ran last time, sends shockwaves through him! —







"I'm sorry! — Ghh... Huh...?"

—As Subaru wakes up, from the nightmare his brain played on him. His breath was rapid, as the dream itself was way too lucid for his comfort. —

"Subaru-sama?"

Subaru stiffens, as he hears a voice he wasn't expecting so soon.

He turns to Rem, sitting next to him with the sun behind her. It wasn't dark yet, but it was well in the afternoon. Dinner would be in an hour or so.

She gave him a worried, and slightly guilty look, as she speaks,

"You've had another nightmare, it seems... I hope brighter dreams come towards you, soon —"

"Rem!" Subaru's exclamation cuts the maid off, as he tries to move, "C'mon, we don't have time, we need to — ghhk...!"

Subaru feels a sudden pain on his left side, more on his leg and chest. Moving that side of him was going to be impossible.

"Please don't move much...!" Rem pushes him toward the bed, worried, "You're still recovering, after... after what Rem has —"

"You need to see Beatrice!" Rem doesn't get a moment to wallow in guilt once more, as Subaru holds her hand,

"You need to! You've been bit by a Mabeast, and got cursed! —"

Subaru stops, to look at the hand that pushed him back on the bed. No bandage.

Subaru glances at Rem's other hand, just to make sure. Once again, no bandage.

"...You knew?" Subaru turns to Rem, who looked back at him with worried eyes, "Ah... Rem shouldn't be surprised anymore. Maybe this was also something you were trying to tell Rem..."

Her eyes fall a little downward, her face telling Subaru how awful she was feeling, right now...

"Rem should've just listened..."

Rem pauses, her last statement just a whisper. She shakes her head, and stares at Subaru properly.

"Beatrice already took care of it." Rem informs the boy, surprising him, "After we... fought, she sensed it while we were heading back, before Rem had even known it was there."

Rem's eyes gloss with regret, as Subaru takes a moment to absorb this info. She notices Subaru tense up—

"Thank God...!" —And pull her into a desperate hug, much to her surprise, "Thank God, you're alright...! I wouldn't know what to do, if it was too late...!"

Subaru felt relief wash over him, and despite everything that happened between him and Rem, he couldn't help but cling onto the girl that's given him so much happiness —

Even if it wasn't his Rem, he wouldn't bare to see the girl in pain any more than he has already!

"...I don't understand...!"

Subaru hears this, as Rem drops her third-person mannerisms. While hugging the maid, he felt her shake, no longer hiding her feelings,

"...I've done horrible things to you... said cruel words I can never take back...!" She tries to reason with him —

Subaru held her closer, not letting Rem get caught up in blaming herself.

Rem starts to tear up, as the warmth she felt was misplaced, being directed towards her, "I've tried to kill you, damn it...!"

"I forgive you."

Rem's eyes open wide, hearing Subaru say this. What? Just like that?

Subaru pulls away, as Rem looks to him with barely hidden guilt in her features.

"...Why?" She simply asks, not believing him, "Subaru-sama, I honestly tried to kill you! Don't you understand that!?"

"Of course I do! And I forgive you!" Subaru downplays the situation once more, earning the girl's ire.

"You can't forgive someone so easily if they tried to kill you!" Rem exclaims.

"Well I just did! And frankly, I couldn't hold a grudge on you, even if I tried." Subaru shrugs.

Rem, heated from their little moment, sits back on the chair she waited on for so long,

"Rem won't accept your forgiveness, until you tell Rem why, Subaru-sama —"

"Just Subaru.' He replies back, his voice calm... until he scratches his cheek,

"And as for 'why'... Think you're willing to let me explain myself, now?" Subaru asks, suddenly nervous.

Rem stares at him for a bit, before nodding.

After all the trouble she got in for attacking Subaru, she wouldn't dare ruin this for a second time.

Subaru takes a moment to steel himself, and proceeds to clear his throat.

"...I know you're an Oni, Rem..." Subaru continues to say what he said in the village, eliciting a guilty look from the maid —

Until he makes a gentle smile,

"Because the person you remind me of, the one I considered dear to me..." Rem hears the conversation take a completely different direction! —

"She was an Oni, just like you..."

And Rem could feel the shock wash over her, as he looks at her...

There was relief in his eyes. Joy, even for someone who went out to try and take his life.

Despite being the one to cause Subaru so much pain, he still looked at her, like she was a treasure!

"...Huh...?" Rem could only let out a single world, as she was in disbelief...

"I know it's shocking... Trust me, even I'm at awe myself, but..." Subaru held a hand over his heart,

"After I first saw you, it's like... I knew you were just like her..." Subaru laughed at himself saying this,

"I guess it's a good thing we ended up fighting, huh? Seeing your horn ended up proving it!" He joked about his misfortune, but Rem kept silent.

She never once considered the thought that there were Onis, outside of her and Ram, that survived. Nor has she considered those survivors coexisting with humans like Subaru.

She was sure the tribe she and Ram lived in was the last one. Roswaal said so himself.

...And yet, Subaru kept looking toward her, barely holding down his own emotions.

"...Subaru..."

Rem bit her lip, not meeting Subaru's gaze. The ever-persistent scent of the Witch still lingered with him...

...He was still hiding something...

...Despite wanting to believe him... Rem still had her doubts—

Both of them suddenly hear the door being opened, and Rem noticed the gaze of her dear sister, immediately.

"Rem," Ram's voice was stern as she enters the room, before noticing the person she was tending to,

"...Ah. Barusu, it's a relief to see you awake." she says this while bowing, although Subaru could hear how half-hearted it was.

"At least make it sound endearing, geez..." Subaru scratched his head, "Oh well. Points for trying."

"Do you need something from Rem, Nee-sama?" Rem asks her sister for her reason being here. Ram nods.

"Roswaal-sama requests your presence." Ram answers her, and Rem blinks, before nodding immediately.

"Very well." She stands up from the chair she sat, next to Subaru, "Please take it easy and rest, Subaru-sa —"

Rem cuts herself off, remembering his request, and shakes her head

"Subaru. We'll continue our talk at another time."

"Of course." Subaru replies, but seemed a little disappointed about something, "I'll look forward to it, Rem."

Rem, with a bow, follows Ram and leaves the room. In the bright hallways, Ram passes a glance at her sister.

"It doesn't seem like Subaru hates you in the slightest, after what you did to him." Ram voices her thoughts, as Rem stares at the carpet, "I wonder if there's truly something wrong with that boy..."

"...That's not it..." Rem spoke, disagreeing with her sister. The ever-rare occurrence earns the attention of Ram, as Rem grips her dress,

"...There's a lot of things Rem doesn't understand, but..." her eyes get shiny, holding back tears,

( "Because I want to be your friend, damn it! ! !" ) —Subaru's plea still rings in her ears, as she regrets engaging that boy in a fight to the death,

"...If it's anyone that has something wrong with them..." Rem loosens her hold on her dress, and feels her face flush with sorrow...

"...It's me..."







Watching the two maids leave the room, Subaru takes a moment to hear them walk away, before setting himself back on the bed.

Once he does so —

A weight presses itself on his right, the side that wasn't damaged by Rem.

Subaru doesn't think much about who that weight was, ["You're awfully quiet, Satella-tan...]

Subaru raises a hand to pet the head of the girl clinging onto him, Satella.

She, however, continues to stay quiet as she digs herself further into his body.

With her being mute for so long, Subaru starts to wonder,

["Is everything okay...?"]

She doesn't reply immediately, but her head moves just a bit.

With the awkward angle, Subaru could barely make out how she moved her head...

...Was she shaking it 'No'?

["If there's something wrong, tell me..."] Subaru's attention was pushed to her, as he kept tracing her hand through her hair. Soft, like cashmere, it was an addicting act...

But Subaru's anxiety only rose slowly, as she doesn't say anything, almost like she was mad at him.

["...Talk to me...Satella..."] Subaru felt anxiety pile over, as her frame refused to budge, only to stick herself even deeper into Subaru...

Like she was hiding from something.

["...Please?"] Subaru gently asked her to speak. Her body stiffens...

Slowly, she rose up, her hair blocking her eyes.

A frown was on her face, as her lips part to say something —

*Knock Knock!*

—Only to disappear into wisps of darkness, once there was a knock on the door. Subaru grits his teeth, not happy with the outcome, before turning to the door.

"Who is it!?" Subaru's exclamation was a bit strangled with frustration, as he tries to calm himself down.

"I-It's Emilia...!" Subaru hears the half-elf's voice, and rises up to a sitting position once she opens the door.

"Thank goodness you're awake..." Emilia's voice was crystal, as she came in —

With a tray of food. Like the ones you have over your bed.

Subaru makes a sharp gasp...!

Was this the fabled 'Wife that serves you breakfast in bed' tropes he's wished for!?

"You were out cold by the time we all had brunch, Subaru. I decided to ask..."

A pause, and a little flinch, before she continued, "Rem, to save some for you!"

Subaru catches the pause Emilia has, talking about the maid, before shaking it away.

"Emilia-tan, you do care!" Subaru exclaims, holding himself in a hug, "Oh, I don't deserve such a thing from you~! Thank you, Emilia-tan~!"

"There you go with that 'tan' thing, again..." Emilia laughs, as she sets up the tray for him, "I truly wonder if you're messing with me, or something..."

"Absolutely not! As I've said, it's a showing of endearment from my country!" Subaru looks at her firmly, before smiling, "It means I really appreciate you, Emilia-tan!"

Emilia stops, just finishing setting up the tray for Subaru, before she pulls backward and looks at Subaru.

"...Really?" Emilia asks carefully, before putting her hands together, "...I was certain, after what Rem did..."

"Emilia?" Subaru wonders what the Royal Candidate was musing to herself about, before watching her shake her head.

"It's nothing! A-Anyways...!" She looks down to his body, covered in the cloth, "Are you able to handle eating by yourself? Do you need assistance?"

"Hmm? Well, it does hurt to get up, but..." Subaru moves his arms with ease, flexing them a bit to make sure —

"Ahh... Chhh..." —Subaru hissed through his teeth. Pulling a little too far forward on his left, he strained the side of his chest that was inflicted. His sudden jolt catches Emilia's attention.

"A-are you okay!?" Emilia asks Subaru in earnest. The boy laughs, feeling a little overwhelmed from her attention.

"I-It's fine, just pulled something I shouldn't, that's... all..." Subaru trails off, watching Emilia.

Emilia, every so often, would tremble a bit. It was like she was scared that Subaru was badly hurt.

Emilia catches the boy staring, and bites her lip.

"...I'm so..." A moment, before she gave him a bright, fake smile, "P-Please enjoy the food!"

Without much warning, Emilia makes a movement towards the door —

"Emilia, wait! —" Subaru reaches to grab her hand, and manages to do so — "Kkkhhh...!"

"Subaru!?" Emilia, with her hand held, turns back to see Subaru in pain from doing so, "Are you an idiot!?"

Emilia immediately goes back to tend to him, as Subaru looks at her with a pained grin, "Maybe I am, who knows!? — hkkk..." His body stiffens, as another jolt of pain comes forward,

"Wait, I didn't actually mean—" Emilia immediately corrects herself, not really meaning her statement when she said it! —

"But this is nothing, compared to whatever you're stressing about!" Subaru grits his teeth, and looks straight at Emilia, "So talk, Emilia-tan! What's on your mind! Tell me, please!"

Subaru, asking her thoughts so earnestly, easily gets under the half-elf's defenses as her eyes water.

She looks away, trembling once more, but she eventually calms herself down and turns to him once more.

"...Do you hate me...?" Emilia asks. Subaru blinks.

"...Huh?" He asks back. Emilia looks at the soup sitting on the tray, her fingers pursed together.

"After you asked me to keep Rem away... all I thought was, 'Why? Rem's a nice person, she wouldn't hurt you!'" She begins, and Subaru starts listening.

Emilia turns to her left, avoiding his gaze, "It even pained me a little, asking Rem to keep her distance from you. She agreed to it, but... I knew she was sad, as well..."

"Emilia..." Subaru's voice broke forward as a whisper, but Emilia continued, once again turning to him.

"I was... mad at you, for asking me to do that, Subaru..." she confessed, surprising him.

"...Really? If you were mad, I didn't notice, to be honest." Subaru gives a short laugh. After all, he's seen a mad Emilia, after his fight with Julius.

"But I was!" Regardless, Emilia defends herself, "I was really mad, and I hoped you would go and fix up things with Rem!"

Her intense look simmers down, as she recalls the latest events, "...But... At the end of the day, somehow... You knew Rem would come and try to..."

Her eyes start to shake, and her eyebrows furrow in frustration, Subaru could see this. It was like she was coming into terms with this discovery.

"...She could've... If me and the others didn't come in time, she could've...!" Emilia tightens her fingers into fists, as she clenches her eyes.

"Emilia." Subaru's voice calls out, and Emilia looks up, albeit afraid of what she would see! —

Only to see him smiling,

"Thank you for saving me." — Emilia's eyes widen when Subaru says this.

Subaru turns to the window, watching the wind lightly blow the drapes, "As much as I'd really would like to say, 'I'm sorry for stressing you out' or 'for causing you so much grief,'"

He looks back at Emilia, "Somebody told me: for moments like these, a 'Thank You' would mean much more than a 'Sorry' — And I really do mean it! You really did end up showing up at the right time!"

"You saved me, and that's all that matters, right?" Subaru gives a teethy grin, "So... Thank you, Emilia-tan!"

It was easy for Subaru to talk about being saved like this. He knew there were plenty of opportunities for his run to fall flat, and cause him to die.

But they didn't happen. And Subaru was beyond grateful for it.

If he was going to continue this run, he wanted to make the most of it.

Saying all the right words, doing all the right things, and showing Emilia his very best side was all that Subaru wanted to do.

"...Why...?" —And déjà vu; like after the fight with the Great Whale, Subaru sees Emilia tear up,

"Why are you so nice to me...? Something awful happened to you, you know?" Emilia reasoned with the boy, and said boy kept smiling, unwavering from her statement.

Emilia wanted to know Subaru's intentions. She had to know.

"...Bringing you into this place was my fault, so... by all means, you really should hate me...!" Emilia's tears shined against the sunlight, as she looked at him with grief.

"I can't." Subaru begins — choking up when Emilia stares at him, confused, "—Er, that's not what I mean... Rather, It's just... I don't want to."

"Huh?" Emilia blinks, still just as confused. He fights the urge to palm his face for being an idiot.

"Aghhh! — Look, it's harder to explain if I don't say something first, okay, so listen up!" Subaru steels himself, and Emilia watches him with even more confusion.

Subaru braced his heart. He wanted to confess his love, damn it!

"Emilia-tan, I..." Subaru stares at Emilia, his face flaring up,

Just tell her you love her!

"I really, really... like you!"

Subaru says this, knowing it was for the better.

It was way too early for a confession of his love, in this situation. It got him into a lot of trouble, in his last run—

( "Everything I do, it was for your sake!" ) —

( "Stop lying about how everything you do is for me!" )

— It was painful for Subaru to remember their scuffle, after he embarrassed Emilia during the Royal Selection. But it was a necessary pain. He knew better now.

Still, he hopes his feelings came forward, even just a little bit! —

"'Like me?'" Emilia repeats, her own face feeling warm and fuzzy, "...What do you mean, Subaru?"

"...Hah? What do you mean, 'What do you mean!?'" Subaru repeats incandescently, frustrated, before turning away,

"Do I have to spell this out too!? My hearts about to burst here!" He whispers, moreso to himself than anything, but Emilia hears just fine.

"Spell what out?" Emilia asks, innocently. She was just too confused to make heads and tails about what Subaru wanted.

With a deep breath, Subaru looks towards Emilia once more.

"I like you, Emilia-tan! I would like to be your friend!" Subaru declares proudly, making sure she heard.

He knew there will be another time where he can confess his boundless love. He settles for just being friends, for now.

"...!?" —A gasp comes from Emilia, after Subaru made his intentions clear. She hovered a hand over her mouth, looking toward Subaru with shaky eyes.

"...You're not... joking, are you...?" Emilia asks, and Subaru blinks.

"Hmm? Of course, not? Why would I joke about something like this?" Subaru's tone was matter-of-fact, cutting Emilia's disbelief.

"...Even though I'm a half-elf... Even though I put you in danger..." She needlessly repeats herself,

"Even though I made you lose something so precious to you..." Her voice was quiet, and Subaru watches her.

Her eyes were getting watery, "Even after all that... you want to be... friends, with me...?"

Subaru huffs, closing his eyes, "I do, Emilia-tan. Even after everything that's happened, I really do want to be your friend."

He opens them, and stares at Emilia, "So don't feel bad! Don't feel like you owe me anything, anymore!"

He gives Emilia a toothy grin, once again, "I forgive you... because we're friends now, right?"

"Subaru...!" The half-elf's lips purse into a bright smile, tears finally falling down her cheek.

"I was really scared...! I thought I made things worse...!"Emilia exclaims, wiping her tears, "Thank goodness... Subaru... I...!"







"I really want to be your friend, too!" She smiles bright, tears running down her cheeks.

"...Emilia-tan!" Subaru felt elated, hearing this from the half-elf!

He was glad that he finally befriended her!

...until he noticed something wrong...







Emilia was frozen stiff, as if time had stopped.

"...Huh?" Subaru let out a weak gasp, turning to the tray of food, seeing the vapor of the soup completely still in the air, "...What's happening...?"

"I can't wait any longer."

Subaru jumped into attention, hearing the voice of Satella.

The air around him grew tense, and the room he was in grew darker and darker — despite it being midday!

"Sa-Satella-tan!? Where...!?" Subaru looks up to find the Witch gently floating above him, slowly descending.

Like a phantom... It sent chills up his spine.

Satella softly landed on his bed — simply phasing through the tray of food Emilia set on top of Subaru.

Her entire body weight was on Subaru now, as Satella inched closer to him.

"...What are you... doing... Satella...?" Subaru asked, his voice a whisper. Passing a glance, back and forth, between her and Emilia —Until he noticed that Satella's face was dangerously close to his...

"...Don't you remember, Subaru-kun...?" Hearing Satella finally talk, he looked at Satella's eyes—

He was met with two dangerous orbs, looking at him like prey!

He was clearly looking at the 'other' Satella. The Witch of Envy.







"I'm simply reminding you... that you're mine."

...Was she going to... kill him, out of jealousy...?

"Satel—"

— Subaru felt her lips smash into his! "—Mmnph!?"

Before he knew it, The Witch of Envy and Subaru were kissing.

The bizarre feeling of wanting and not wanting this event to happen threw Subaru's head into a corkscrew. He knew this was Satella. He knew this wasn't Satella!

As much as he would appreciate a pretty girl kissing him, this was someone absolutely dangerous!

— Satella breaks apart from him, allowing him to breathe! —

"Mine...!" —Before crashing into her lips once again.

His brain wasn't sure to send warning signals or not! He knew he wasn't in any immediate danger, but he was being smothered by someone who could easily kill him!

If he had to articulate what his brain was saying, it was, 'What the fuck!? What the fuck!? What the fuck!? —'

Satella breaks off of him once more, "Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!"

"Satella, time out! —" Subaru gasps out, before shrinking when Satella pushes towards him once more! —

"You're Mine." Satella whispers into his ear, sending jolts of electricity through him.

Pulling away from his ear, Subaru's eyes scrunch as Satella assaults his mouth once more.

"...Mnn~!" —Subaru's eyes break wide open, hearing Satella —

—and felt something foreign invade his mouth!

...Was that her tongue!?

"Enough!" Subaru throws Satella off him, coughing a bit as he did so.

God damn it, sure, he was a man with his own wants and desires! — But there was a time and place for everything!

French-ing in front of Emilia-tan was not one of them!

"No!" Satella pushes back onto him, "No, no, no! Let me have this moment!"

"Why are you...!?" Subaru looked at Satella like she was a whining kid! Repeating words like she didn't have anything better to explain herself with!

"I gave her enough time! It's my turn!" She continues to whine, making no sense to Subaru. She pushes ever-closer to reap his lips once more!

She had no restraint! She simply wanted to smother Subaru with her love!

He grits his teeth, relying on his last resort.

"Satella, I order you to—!" Trying to rely on the contract they have, Subaru finds his mouth shut off by Satella's hand.

Subaru looks to her. He could only describe her as a predator fed up with playing with her food.

"If you use our contract against me," She passes a glance towards Emilia, still frozen in time, "I will kill her."

That cut any sort of resistance Subaru had in mind. The very last thing Subaru wanted, after everything that happened today.

...He couldn't afford to restart this checkpoint. If he could avoid a fate like that, then...

Satella pulled away her hand, "Do you understand, Subaru-kun?" she spoke with a grin, like she won.

Subaru grimly nodded, resigning to his fate. Satella's grin bared teeth, as she pushed her lips onto his, once more.

As shadows danced in the corners of Subaru's room, and Emilia's tears floated, frozen in time, the sounds they were making bounced the walls as echoes.

Terrified for his and Emilia's life, Subaru didn't resist... but he didn't put any effort on his end, either.

He simply let the Witch do whatever fancied her.

Playing a half-hearted game, however, didn't appeal as much to the 'other' Satella, as she finally broke off and gave Subaru his space.

A light trail of saliva followed her, as she settled some ways away from him.

"...It's not the same..." Satella muttered, looking down to her lap, "...It's nothing like the kiss you shared with her... It's not the same at all..."

Referring to 'her,' Subaru figured she was talking about her 'nicer' side, and the kiss they shared after they arrived to Roswaal's mansion safely...

He rose his arm to rub the drool off his mouth. Subaru could only look away, "...Satella..." he whispered, ashamed of what happened between them.

"...Why..." Satella's frame starts to shake, "Why... Why...? Why...? Why...!? Why...!?" —

"—Because at that moment," Subaru cuts the Witch's rambling, with a strong voice, "I wanted to let you know just how happy I was. How grateful I am to be back at 'Zero.'"

Subaru pulled his arm away to face Satella, proper, "...And I still am. I'm very thankful for being here, Satella..."

"Then why!?" Satella looked at him, angrily, "Why won't you kiss me!? Why won't you love me!?"

— Before Subaru could respond, Satella grabbed his left hand and pulled it straight to her chest, surprising him immediately! —

"Indulge in me! You're mine, and I'm yours!" Satella yells at him, her eyes screaming conflicting feelings, "I don't want to wait! I want you!"

"Satella! —You can't just! —" Subaru, trying to pull away from Satella to preserve her modesty, gets tugged back into Satella, with a surprising amount of strength.

—It ends up pulling the wound in his chest, making Subaru stiffen.

Satella jumps as well, feeling the sharp stab of pain thanks to the link.

It doesn't take long for her to grit her teeth in anger.

"...That damn Oni..." Satella mutters out, before pushing Subaru onto the pillow behind him.

"—Ackg! Satella, that hurts...!" Subaru mutters out, asking her to spare him.

Satella holds out a hand over the afflicted areas, her figure surrounded by an ominous, purple aura.

["Authority of Envy"] Satella's voice booms, calling on her powers once more, ["Everlasting Love."] — (1*)

Shining purple, himself, Subaru finds the pain slowly wisp away into nothing, and his body's fatigue simply disappearing.

"...Huh?" Subaru's strained look was replaced with surprise, "The pain's... gone?"

For someone who could easily take his life, he was shocked that she could easily heal him up, just like that...

Just how broken was her Authority!?

Satella's arm falls to her side, as she looks downward, her eyes shaded. Subaru stretches his arms to make sure — And sure enough, they were all better.

Subaru shakes his head in disbelief, "...That power of yours is crazy, Satella..." he whispers quietly, trying to avoid the subject they left a few moments ago.

"...tella-tan..." A whisper, from Satella. Subaru freezes up.

"Pardon?" He asks, worried.

"It's Satella-tan." she repeats, surprising Subaru, "Call me Satella-tan! It's my name after all! Satella-tan! Satella-tan!"

Subaru felt his eyebrows furrow as the 'other' Satella goes needlessly into repeats, once more. Regardless, Satella looks up to him angrily! —

"If you won't indulge in me, love me, kiss me, or even care for me, then...!" Her angry look turns into a strangled grimace of sorrow, tears coming from her eyes,

"At least... at least... call me by that name...!" Her face falls downward, into her open hands, as she cries her heart out —

Subaru could only watch on with shock, as the Witch cries loudly.

Subaru doesn't move. Even if he did, he wouldn't know what to do first.

She's just... been all over the place, with him...

Kissing, threatening, more kissing, yelling, healing, then crying...?

It was like this Satella was unhinged...!

Even so, Subaru could remember some choice words, back when he first met the Witch,

( "You, and only you, are the person that me and my 'other' self love the most!" )

— Clearly this was proof of that, as the Satella he was looking at, wept from the actions he made.

No matter how much trouble she made for him... Seeing her in pain wasn't something Subaru took joy in.

With a small gulp, Subaru leaned forward, towards Satella.

"Satella-tan..." Subaru spoke, honoring her request, catching her attention.

As she lifted her head from her hands, Subaru pulled her into a hug.

"...Ah...?" A small gasp came from her, surprised that he even did anything at all.

"...I know you hate waiting..." Subaru whispers, and Satella listens, "...But I am begging you to wait for me, to sort everything out..."

Not seen by Subaru, Satella's face turns into a grimace, "...I don't wanna wait anymore! —"

"Satella-tan, I'm begging you..." Subaru's hug gets tighter, cutting Satella off, "...Because if we get to the end of this tunnel saving everyone, I will make it worth your while!"

The answer he gives, lingers in the air a bit. Satella takes the time to absorb his response —

"...How?" —And asks this question, genuinely curious.

Subaru knew if he was going to keep this girl at bay, he'd have to pull himself from his usual train of thought. Everything that happened just a few minute prior was proof of this.

If he had any hope of making things right, he'd have to sacrifice himself, and dive into the deep end.

With his own face flushed red, Subaru pulls a little bit backward, then hovers over her ear.

A whisper. Satella blinks.

Another... Satella's eyes start to widen.

Yet another, and her face was fuming red.

One last whisper, and Satella was trembling.

Subaru pulls away, his eyes as straight as possible, "...Can I count on you, Satella-tan?"

Satella's lips part... then they come together... Then they part once more...

"...Will you... do all that... for me...?" She whispers, her usually powerful voice weakened by her Beloved's sweet promises. Subaru nods.

"If everything works out, and we save both Rem and Emilia..." Subaru passes a glance at the frozen girl to his left, a bead of frustration welling in him...

'Even if I don't love you at that point...' He thought very, very quietly in his head.

—Before crushing it, immediately, "I would be more than happy to, Satella-tan."

Subaru watches the Witch's face slowly envelope into a wide, bright smile.

"...Ehehe~..." A cute giggle escapes her lips, before she reaches for his hand.

No longer afraid, Subaru watches her pull his hand onto her face, as he cups it gently,

"Very well... It'll be our own contract..." She whispers, her own eyes glowing in mirth, "I'll look forward to the day, My Beloved..."

"Yeah..." Subaru nods, giving a smile of his own, "I'm counting on you, Satella-tan..."

—With those words, the energy around Subaru shifts once more, as the charged energy in the air seemingly disappears.

Subaru turns towards Emilia, who was moving once more, wiping her ever-flowing tears.

"Oh... Holey Moley, I'm a mess, aren't I?" Emilia laughs at herself, feebly wiping the water on her face. Subaru gives a small chuckle.

"You and me both... and who says 'Holey Moley' these days?" Subaru replies back, like the past few minutes haven't happened.

Subaru, reaching for the spoon, decides to finally have his brunch.

Taking a sip of the soup, he takes an odd fascination to it.

Despite being sitting for so long, it was still plenty warm...







"...You're..." Rem starts with a whisper, looking at Roswaal in shock, "...Sending Rem away...?"

Her sister, Ram, was looking away with a look of pain, clearly affected by the sudden development.

However, she dare not speak out to her Master.

Even if her heart ached her to do so.

"That's correct." Roswaal nods, showing no emotion whatsoever, before taking note of her troubled state,

"If you are worried about your duties being unattended, do not be concerned." He speaks once more, "I've requested Frederica to return to the premises, and I will handle the rest of her mission, myself."

"Once she comes back, you will be free to go." Roswaal finishes, implying that working under him was a burden of sorts.

Rem's dread hits its peak.

"...Why...?" Is all she asks.

"..." Roswaal gives a curt smile, knowing she would be taken aback from the decision, "'Why' you ask...? It's rather simple."

"You've managed to put unwanted stress on Emilia-sama, as a result of your recent... endeavor." He speaks in monotone, his eyes slanted.

"As it stands, she simply cannot focus on her duties as a Royal Candidate, knowing there's an inhabitant among us, with a..." Roswaal pauses, almost pondering what words to use next,

"Let's just say... 'Short temper'." Roswaal finishes.

"Roswaal-sama, that boy's..." Rem begins to speak, before slowly stopping.

Not because of Puck's statement, that Subaru wasn't part of the Witch Cult.

Rather, because regardless of what Puck says, she knew she already caused Subaru so much trouble already.

Adding fuel to the fire just wouldn't do her justice.

Her words die in her throat, as Roswaal continues speaking.

"On the topic regarding 'that boy,' Subaru... It appears he has made an impact of sorts with Emilia-sama." Roswaal mentions, and Rem blinks,

"It's precisely the reason why attacking him has caused Emilia-sama so much trouble. She's grown fond of him, and rather quickly, too."

Roswaal makes a short chuckle, "You've really made a disastrous move, challenging that man."

Rem's gaze falls to the ground, as she recalls Subaru's words,

( "You really... can't change someone's life in just a day... could you...?" )

Cold. Colder. Even colder, her heart goes to absolute zero.

"...Where will Rem go...?" Rem wonders, aimlessly asking the question.

"Don't be so disheartened." Roswaal waves off her worries, "With the education I've provided to you, and the effort you've shown under my employment every day, you'll do wonders with whatever aspiration you seek."

Roswaal steps up from his desk, and stands with arms wide open,

"Ta~ake this moment as an opportunity to follow your dreams, wherever they may be!" Roswaal exclaims, demonstrating theatrics —

'I don't have a dream.' —Rem thought. Her head was foggy.

"And who knows! Ma~aybe you'll find yourself a gentleman to love, and settle down with!" Roswaal continues —

'The only person I love is Nee-sama.' —Another thought. Rem's face gets hot.

"The wo~orld is your oyster! You're still so young, but digging your feet under my wing simply won't do. Experience the best the world has to offer!" Roswaal finishes his speech with a hand on his chest —

'Coming here was the best thing that's happened to me.' —Tears appeared on Rem's cheek. Ram notices...

"Your service here has been exemplary, Rem. Thank you for being my very best maid."

'I don't want to go...'

"Starting tomorrow, your service will no longer be needed." Roswaal sits down, "Until then, please continue your duties as you have for so long. You are dismissed."

'I don't want to go...!' —Rem opens her mouth to speak, tears dropping from her chin.

"Rem... under... stands." Rem's voice cracked, as she bowed. Like she was under a spell, she does not refute Roswaal's discharge.

Turning away, she ignores the burning feelings in her heart.

She ignores the tears her sister shed, seeing herself in such pain.

She ignores her senses diluting into nothing, as she sunk further and further into pits of depression.

She is a maid.

A maid doesn't think. A maid knows.

And she knew her time was up.







Sitting at the dining table, Subaru looks at Rem with a careful eye, seeing how she stood next to Roswaal unabated, with no emotion on her face.

Something was... off. He knew it.

"U-Um..." Emilia spoke, next to Subaru, "H-how's your body? Does it still hurt?"

"Oh!" Subaru blinks, before stretching it all over the place, "Made a full recovery! Could you believe it? I've never been better, to be honest!"

He'd thank Satella, but ever since their... encounter, she's been out of his sight for a while.

Probably for the best. Subaru wouldn't be able to focus, given his promise to her before she disappeared.

"You're welcome, I suppose." Beatrice mutters across from him, tending to Puck, "I expected you to be out of commission for a few days, but your durability is as stubborn as you, I suppose."

"A-Ah, I guess I do owe both of you some 'Thank You's, huh?" Subaru chuckles, scratching the back of his head—

"That can wait, I suppose." Beatrice cuts him off, turning to Roswaal, "You've been rather quiet, given the circumstances of your 'Dear Guest's' misfortune. Would you care enough to bow your head, I wonder?"

Roswaal makes a small laugh, "I wanted everyone to enjoy their food before delving into the topic, but I su~uppose it shouldn't wait any longer."

Roswaal passes a glance towards Rem, "Before I start... Rem, don't you have something to say, first?"

Subaru watches Rem wordlessly step forward, and turn towards him...

Before giving a deep bow.

"Subaru-sama, Emilia-sama," She begins, her voice gentle... but almost melancholic, "It is, without question, Rem's deepest regret making the actions Rem has done today. Words cannot express how apologetic Rem is, for the decisions she's made."

Subaru's lips parted, as he watches Rem express herself in a degrading mannor.

But, more than that, it was how empty those words were. Like she has resigned herself to an empty shell.

He was about to say something, to stop her from prostrating herself any further —

"Can it." Beatrice, suddenly speaks, cuts Rem off abruptly, before turning to Roswaal, "It makes no use, getting a dog to apologize for their owner's actions."

"I assure you, Rem's actions were hers, and hers alone." Roswaal remarks. Beatrice's eyes narrow.

"The owner letting the leash go is grounds for an even harsher punishment, I suppose." Beatrice hisses out. Roswaal chuckles once more.

"Fair enough... Subaru." Roswaal calls the boy out, and said boy perks up.

"Y-Yeah!?" Subaru, not faring well with the tension in the air, looks at the manor's owner with confusion.

"Normally, I don't make the same offers twice, but you happen to be quite the misfortunate fellow, so listen closely," Roswaal extends his hand forward, in an offering stance,

"Just like the favor I've given onto you, on your first day here, I extend a second favor to you today." Roswaal's eyes close as he smiles, "Money, fame, fortune, whatever your heart desires, I'll do my best to act upon it."

Subaru is taken aback, looking at Roswaal like he grew a second head, "A-another favor...?"

Nothing like this happened before, in his last run. Figuring Roswaal's status, he wouldn't dish out these favors so often, so something like this came at a surprise.

...However, he really didn't know what to ask of him. Nothing really came up in his head, regarding what he could get from the mansion owner.

Could he save it?

"Uh..." Subaru begins, looking away, "Can't say I, uh... know what I'd want done as a favor. Could I get back to you on that?" Subaru asks. Roswaal simply smiles.

"Of course. However, I am not one to leave a debt unpaid. Please make a decision posthaste" Roswaal nods, releasing the weight off Subaru's shoulders.

"...A token apology and a favor left to uncertainty." Beatrice muses, hearing both of them, "Am I supposed to be satisfied with this, Roswaal, I wonder?"

Subaru was taken aback at how persistent Beatrice was. Did she take their contract this seriously? She was butting heads with the person that's taken care of her for so long, after all! —

"H-hey..." Emilia's voice rings out, as she was a bit nervous, hearing their bickering at the dinner table, "Shouldn't we do this some other time...? Now's really not..."

Emilia's words die down in her throat, as Beatrice's ire turns towards her,

"This is regarding Subaru Natsuki's life, and how it was so close to being taken by the staff of this household." She speaks, her biting tone causing Emilia to stiffen, "If not now, when, I wonder?"

"...Betty..." Puck, under Beatrice's wing, gives her a look of disapproval, not appreciating her tone towards his contractor.

Emilia is left speechless, passing a glance at Subaru, who picked up the look and was about to talk himself —

"Now, now, everyone settle down." Roswaal calls the attention of his audience, once more, "There is one more thing I'd like to mention, to put everyone's mind at ease."

Subaru glances at Roswaal, who kept smiling with his eyes closed. Rem's eyes become shaded, hearing everyone's conflict, knowing she was directly responsible for it.

"Regarding the actions Rem took today, it is, without a doubt, most unbecoming as her employer to let them go without being addressed," He begins to speak. Subaru feels a knot form in his throat.

Was Rem... going to be punished?

"To preserve the goodwill of everyone inside this room, I've come to a decision:" Roswaal passes a glance at Rem, then takes a deep breath,

"In a few days-time, Rem will be sent away from this manor..." —Subaru's eyes start to widen, as Roswaal turns to his audience,

And looks at Subaru, "And she will not be allowed to return until further notice."

A deep silence rolls over the table, as Subaru processes this info with a shaky breath.

Rem was getting fired!? Roswaal, are you serious!?

"You can't be...! —" Subaru begins, about to speak up —

"I suppose it is for the best." Beatrice nods, agreeing with the outcome, "Nipping the problem in the bud's the best way to handle this development, I suppose."

"What about Ram?" Emilia speaks, obviously disturbed with the development, "Surely, she can't do her job all by herself!"

"That's certainly true," Roswaal gives a small laugh, "With that in mind, I've called for another maid of mine to return, immediately. She will be arriving to take Rem's place, before she leaves."

Roswaal lifts a cup of tea, sitting in front of him, "She was sent to handle affairs with a few of my delegates, but the matter here is much, much more pressing."

"If that's the case... then I guess it's okay..." Emilia keeps her thoughts to herself, allowing Roswaal to enjoy his tea —

*SLAM! ! !*

Everyone in the table jumps, hearing Subaru slam his hands on the table.

Standing straight up from his spot, he doesn't just look at Roswaal, but at Beatrice, at Ram, at Emilia! —







"What the hell is wrong with all of you!?" —And yells at them, fury unabated!

"Barusu, watch your tongue in front of —!" Ram, immediately perturbed from the boy's actions, steps forward to discipline him.

"Shut up!" Subaru yells at the girl, shocking her, as he continued,

"Are you really going to tell me that you're fine with your goddamn sister being thrown out!? Huh!?"

Ram doesn't get a say in, as he turns to Beatrice, "Beako! —"

and Emilia, "Emilia!"

—and rolls up his fists, "I've already told you guys: the actions Rem made were not her fault! I do not want either of you holding a grudge on her for what's happened. Got it!?"

Emilia pulls back from the boy, his fervor stunning her a bit. —

"D-Do you value your life so little, Natsuki Subaru!?" Beatrice was quick to defend herself, glaring at the man, "Your life hung in mere threads, had we not come to find you in time! Regardless of that dog's intentions —"

"Rem!" Subaru intervenes, saying her name in place of 'dog,' and Beatrice stiffens up,

"It matters not!" Beatrice responds, "That girl is a threat not just to you, but to all of us! We cannot simply forgive and forget this event from ever happening!"

Subaru looks back onto the table, gritting his teeth, before staring back up at Beatrice,

"The reason she attacked was because of this damn scent on me," Subaru begins, and shakes his head, "She wouldn't lift a finger towards you guys. I know she wouldn't."

"Scent?" Roswaal whispers, interested.

Emilia looks towards Subaru, feeling nervous as the topic touches on the Witch.

"You can't prove that!" Beatrice yells at him.

"With time, I will!" Subaru roars back, throwing his hand out, "I don't need you to make this complicated! Thank you for saving me, but please don't make matters worse by dehumanizing Rem!"

Biting her lip, Beatrice takes the token of appreciation with a grain of salt, considering if she should continue arguing with her defendant —

"All this fighting... My oh my..." Roswaal leans back in his seat, passing a glance at Rem, "I do wonder if this is what you wanted...?"

Rem stays quiet, biting her lip —

"Don't you dare put the blame on her." Subaru's gaze finally rests on Roswaal, hearing him talk earlier, "She's gone through enough. Don't you make matters worse, you damn clown!"

Rem's ears finally pick up Subaru's words, as he fights Roswaal with tongue in cheek, despite the owner's status.

...She didn't want this to happen.

"Clown? How quaint." Roswaal blinks at the choice of words, before smiling, "Taking my kindness and throwing it against me. How unbecoming of you —"

"I'm ready to use my favor." Subaru speaks in a flat tone, pointing at Rem, "You're going to forgive Rem for what she's done, and re-employ her as your maid. That's all that I want."

Rem blinks at Subaru, seeing him throw away Roswaal's gift so casually for her sake.

...She felt useless.

"I refuse." Roswaal says this with eyes closed, making Subaru stiffen up.

"...The hell you mean, 'I refuse!?'" Subaru yells at him, holding a knuckle in front of him, "It's probably the easiest thing you could do! The hell's your problem!?"

"Quite the contrary. I no longer wish to have Rem serve under me, and your favor is quite the opposite of easy." Roswaal speaks like it was matter-of-fact, but Subaru's nerves get shorter with every word.

Subaru kicks his chair behind him, and it falls onto the floor, startling everyone present.

"Subaru!" Emilia exclaims, standing up herself as the man passes her, walking towards Roswaal, "Don't be reckless! Roswaal, he's a high-standing magician! —"

"I'm not just gonna stand here, while this clown spits out half-baked excuses about why he's throwing Rem out!" Subaru exclaims, not leaving his gaze on Roswaal, "I'm going to fix this, right here and now!"

"But why!? Rem is...! Rem will just...!" Emilia's wording is shot, as she doesn't want to say, 'Rem will try to kill you again!'

"Emilia, if I let that man get away with tossing Rem out," Subaru's eyes finally settle onto Emilia, and she looks back,

"That'll make everything I've done, up till now, absolutely worthless." He says this, surprising the Royal Candidate, before breaking off of Emilia.

"...Why? I don't understand...?" She whispers, not sure what Subaru means, as he walks closer to Roswaal —

"Not another step." Ram steps in front of him, not surprising Subaru in the slightest, "I will not allow you to hurt Roswaal-sama —"

"I'm absolutely disappointed in you, Ram." Subaru speaks to the maid, and her face tightens into a snarl.

"...Your approval isn't something I needed in the first place!" Ram yells back, and Subaru presses forward.

"I want you to know reason why Rem came after me today... it was to protect you." Subaru continues, and Ram reels back, surprised.

"E... Excuse me!?" Ram, saving face, yells at him, while he stares at Ram, hard.

"She didn't want to take the chance. Even when I didn't fight back, she transformed into an Oni, just to get rid of me... for your sake." Ram's eyes teared up.

Rem stiffens, hearing Subaru say this, but she doesn't make a move.

"So what!? Do you want me to take responsibility, then!? Say I'm sorry for her almost killing you!?" Ram's emotions were finally budding through, as her tone screamed frustration and sadness.

Subaru's gaze stayed even, not once breaking towards Roswaal, or to Rem, who was shaking at this point—

"Not to me." Subaru shakes his head, "I don't need your apology."

"...Then who!?" Ram couldn't stand this boy's games; she was sick of it! —

"Say sorry to Rem!" Subaru declares, his voice getting louder, "Because despite everything she's said and done, you did not return the favor by standing up for her!"

Ram's eyes widen, as Subaru continues

"You haven't once told Roswaal just how much you hate losing her! You would leave Rem all alone in her misery, just to stick to your duty as a maid!" His voice burned into Ram's mind, as she felt regret surge forward —

"You need to apologize to Rem, because you have failed as her sister, and you should be ashamed of it!"

—Whatever outcry Ram had thought of, had died when Subaru made his statement. She felt her knees get weak, as Subaru tries to gently push her aside, to get towards Roswaal —

"Take that back!"

Subaru freezes, hearing the person he was trying to defend.

Rem's voice was suddenly made clear, brimming with emotion.

Subaru jumps a bit when Rem pushes towards him, with conviction, "Nee-sama's been through enough! Take back what you said, Subaru! Right now!"

It was clear as day, putting Ram down a peg hurt her sister's feelings. Subaru froze up, not sure what to say—

"You better not hurt him again, I suppose!" Beatrice was on edge, a pulse of mana coming from her.

Passing a glance at Beatrice, he gave her a look that promised trouble if she made a move.

"...Everyone, please...!" Feeling the tension in the room, Emilia was about to tear up...!

Puck started to float, but kept silent. On the inside, he was well aware how quickly things were spiraling, and kept ready to make a move.

"Rem..." A whisper, from Subaru.

Looking at the maid in question, her eyes surging with a million different emotions as she looked towards him...

She was angry.

She was scared.

...She was sad.

"I-if you don't apologize to Ram, I swear I'll... I'll...!" —Rem's words die out, realizing how problematic doing anything right now can be.

This emotional Rem... compared to the person before, who bowed and weakly made her apology...

"Hooh..." Roswaal makes a noise, undisturbed by the tension, "You be~est be careful, Rem. Everyone seems to have you on lockdown..."

Rem takes a moment to look at everyone else, and her shoulders slack down... Her sorrow was well-apparent.

...She didn't want to make everyone hurt, anymore...

Even for the wrong reasons, this Rem was what he wanted most...

Subaru's gaze starts to weaken, as she could only focus on her. Memories bump around in his head, some good, some bad.

He felt a tug in his heart. It made its command.

His arms start to move. Rem notices, making a small gasp, thinking the worst —

Until Subaru pulls Rem into a hug.

"...?" Rem made a noise of confusion, but it was quiet. Reserved.

Emilia looks at them in surprise.

Beatrice's mana rises a bit... the dissipates, seeing the boy's actions.

Puck watches onward, his eyes tired from the conflict.

Ram watches the boy hug her sister, but doesn't make a move.

Roswaal watches the two of them with interest...

And soon enough...

"...Hhkk..."

A small hiccup. From Rem.

Her body begins trembling, as Subaru rubs the back of her hair, providing whatever warmth he could give.

Emilia's eyes start to water, as her thoughts about Subaru's safety dissipate. She started to see Rem as she used to: The kind maid who wouldn't hurt a fly.

Ram felt guilt, seeing her sister express herself so emotionally. The usually kind and reserved Rem was in shambles.

"...Hhkk... Gghhh..." Rem's voice cracks, as Rem digs himself into Subaru, to hide herself from prying eyes.

"...I don't want to leave..." —And she makes a small plea, towards the boy holding her...

"I know." Subaru whispers back, knowing how much this place meant to her...

"I don't want everyone to fight..." Rem whispers once more, and Subaru nods.

"I understand. Just leave everything to me, alright?" Subaru's whisper gets more bold, with conviction.







( "Watch the man you fell for, become the most awesome hero, ever!" ) —As he recalls his strongest memory, of Rem saving him when he needed her the most.

"...Okay..." —And Rem, unable to do anything else, answers him like she was pleading.

Subaru's eyes start to shake, hearing the person who means so much to him, break down into the frail girl standing here.

Swallowing his pride, he begins to look toward his friends, to make things up with them,

"...I'm sorry, Ram." —Rem's sister perks up, hearing Subaru speak, "I don't mean to call you those things. I was clearly out of line..."

Ram stays quiet, her mind deep in thought.

Taking that as the best answer he could get, he continues.

With regret in his eyes, he looks at Emilia,

"...Emilia-tan," The half-elf blinks, as Subaru passes a glance at her, "Sorry if I scared you. You're the last person I want to hurt. I hope you can forgive me for that..."

Emilia takes the moment to absorb his words, and recalls the conversation they had back in his room.

Remembering how easy he had forgiven her, and how they were friends now, she should obviously stretch that same branch of friendship towards him, right?

After all, she really doesn't want Rem to leave, either. She still thinks of her as a friend, moreso now with the things Subaru said earlier.

If Rem deserves a chance, then...

Emilia gives a gentle smile, and nods, "...Mmhm... I forgive you...!"

Giving a warm smile, Subaru turns to the Spirit of the Library;

"Beako," Subaru calls to her, who avoided his gaze, "I'm still not used to someone caring so much for my wellbeing, but it was wrong for me to yell at you for it. I am truly, deeply in your debt."

A pause, from Beatrice, who was clearly affected by the words he said earlier. She was only doing the things that were necessary to her contract: Putting Subaru's safety first.

Considering this was her first time working with somebody in the contract, she found these things more difficult than she imagined.

However, compared to being alone, and waiting for so long, this...

"...It's nothing, I suppose..." Beatrice huffs, giving her two cents.

Puck, floating above Beatrice, shakes his head before giving Subaru a thumbs up,

"You're in the clear, idiot. Wrap things up already." Puck speaks in his usual, gentle tone.

Relief comes to Subaru, hearing all of them more or less accept his apologies.

However, hearing Puck, Subaru nods and turns to the mansion's owner.

"Roswaal." His gentle gaze gets tough, as Roswaal looks to him, with an all-knowing smile.

"...It doesn't need to be said, how much you've given me already, letting me stay in your home and be with everyone like this..." Subaru's eyes shake, as he words things out, carefully.

"...But if you send Rem away... I absolutely cannot forgive you for it..." —Despite apologizing to everyone else, his ground stays firm in front of Roswaal.

They take a few moments, looking into each other, as Roswaal's smile never fades away.

Rem's crying becomes subdued, as she listens to the conversation with baited breath.

"...Natsuki Subaru..." Roswaal begins, his eyes narrowing, "They say, 'The eyes are windows to a man's soul.' Just by looking at someone, you could debunk all that he is. Their wants, desires, and convictions as well."

Subaru stays quiet, as Roswaal continues.

Roswaal makes an intense look towards him...

"You look like you've seen hell, and lived to tell the tale."

His voice gets low, and Subaru's lips thin after hearing him, "Someone like you might even know more than I do... How interesting..."

Subaru was once again reminded of the enigma that was Roswaal: Somebody who seemingly knew his ability to Return by Death, yet never fully expressed himself regarding it.

Now, Roswaal was implying that he knew he returned to Zero...?

Roswaal wasn't an enemy, but he was no friend, either.

He's a goddamn natural disaster, waiting to happen.

Taking a sip from his cup, he places it on the platter, "Rem, it pa~ains me to say this, but because of Subaru's selfish request... I am needing your service once more."

Weight comes off Subaru's shoulders, and he could feel Rem perk up from under him.

Rem pulls away from Subaru, turning to Roswaal as he bows his head,

"Would you please lend me your aid, as you have before?" he simply asks.

Rem's eyes get watery, but with relief instead of despair, as she passes a glance at Subaru

Wordlessly, her gaze gave him a look that practically said, 'Thank you!'

Turning back to Roswaal, she holds her dress and bows in a cutesy,

"Rem would be honored to be your maid once again, Roswaal-sama."

A small chuckle comes from Roswaal, as he imagined no other response.

"Thank you. I shall be in your care, Rem." Roswaal smiles, and Rem gives back a grateful look to her Master —

Until she feels Subaru pats her on the shoulder, who was smiling when she turned to him.

He doesn't say anything, rather he smiles back, before walking back to his spot on the table.

Rem's gaze follows Subaru, as she watches him.

Tall. With wide shoulders. The stance of a man who knows what he's doing.

Her heart starts to lean forward, to him.

To the man who's made everything wrong, and everything right at the same time.

The man who's changed her life, in less than a day.







Pushing hard into the end of Arc 2, but I won't be surprised if it ends on Chapter 9, rather than Chapter 8. Still got a few more plotlines to tie up, before Arc 3 comes around.

Oh well, that just means Arc 3 will start nice-and-pretty in Chapter 10. I have no complaints!

Regarding any more delays, I will say that I'm trying to keep a schedule of one chapter a week. Anything longer than that's a setback on my part, but I promise to make it well known if I need a break or more time!

Thank you all for being awesome! Review Responses below, see you in the next chapter!

(1*) — This is the very last aspect of Authority of Envy. As Arc 3 starts, the light will be put on those aspects as they are given more detail, but there will be no more cheap tricks from there. I've always wanted to show more than tell, but I'm drawing the line here before it goes overboard.